Nursing Elites

1. A discharge planning nurse is making arrangements for a client with an epidural catheter for continuous infusion of opioids to be placed in a long-term care facility. The family prefers a facility in its neighborhood to facilitate visiting. The neighborhood facility has never cared for a client with this type of need. What is the most appropriate action by the discharge planning nurse?

• A. Arrange for immediate in-services for the long-term care facility staff on pain management using epidural catheters.
• B. Explain the situation to the client and family and seek another long-term care facility for discharge from the hospital.
• C. Encourage the family to hire private duty nurses skilled in epidural catheter pain management to allow the client to be transferred to the neighborhood facility.
• D. None of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the priority is the safety and well-being of the client. The neighborhood facility's lack of experience in caring for a client with an epidural catheter for continuous opioid infusion raises concerns about the quality of care they can provide. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the discharge planning nurse is to explain the situation to the client and family and seek another long-term care facility that can provide the necessary care. Option A, arranging for immediate in-services, may not be feasible or timely, considering the urgent need for appropriate care. Option C, encouraging the family to hire private duty nurses, does not ensure the facility's overall capability to manage the client's complex needs. Option D, 'None of the above,' is not the best choice as the client's safety should be the priority in this situation.

2. A client who has undergone a total hip replacement is told that she will need to go to an extended care rehabilitation facility for therapy before going home. Which member of the healthcare team should the nurse ask to plan the discharge and transition from the hospital to the rehabilitation facility?

• A. Physical therapist
• B. Occupational therapist
• C. Clergy
• D. Social worker

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the appropriate member of the healthcare team to plan the discharge and transition from the hospital to the rehabilitation facility is the social worker. Social workers are trained to provide counseling services, emotional support, arrange placements in care facilities, and locate financial resources for clients. While clergy provide spiritual support and guidance, physical therapists assist in physical treatments, and occupational therapists help with activities of daily living, the social worker is best suited to address the client's needs related to discharge planning and transition. Therefore, the correct answer is the social worker.

3. Several passengers aboard an airliner suddenly become weak and suffer breathing difficulty. The diagnosis is likely to be:

• A. Outbreak of Asian flu.
• B. Chemical exposure.
• C. Bacterial pneumonia.
• D. Allergic reaction.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most likely cause of groups of individuals suddenly experiencing similar signs of illness all at once is a chemical exposure. In this scenario, considering the sudden onset of symptoms in multiple passengers on an airliner, the symptoms are more indicative of a chemical exposure rather than Asian flu, bacterial pneumonia, or an allergic reaction. Asian flu, bacterial pneumonia, and allergic reactions do not typically manifest in a way that would affect a group of individuals simultaneously. Therefore, the correct diagnosis in this case is likely to be a chemical exposure.

4. Nail and foot care are essential in meeting the basic hygiene needs of clients. Important assessments by the nurse in this area include:

• A. a full-body assessment is not specific to nail and foot care.
• B. the essential lab work of the client is not related to nail and foot assessments.
• C. the nail beds and the tissue surrounding the nails.
• D. foot corns and calluses only neglect other important aspects of nail and foot care.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the nail beds and the tissue surrounding the nails. This assessment is crucial to identify abnormal discoloration, lesions, paronychia, dryness, breaks in the skin, pressure areas, or any other unusual appearances. Choice A is incorrect as a full-body assessment is broader and not specific to nail and foot care. Choice B is incorrect as lab work is not directly related to nail and foot assessments. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses only on foot corns and calluses, neglecting other important aspects of nail and foot care.

5. A health care provider informs a nurse that the husband of an unconscious client with terminal cancer will not grant permission for a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. The health care provider tells the nurse to perform a 'slow code' and let the client 'rest in peace' if she stops breathing. How should the nurse respond?

• A. Telling the health care provider that the client would probably want to die in peace
• B. Telling the health care provider that if the client stops breathing, the health care provider will be called before any other actions are taken
• C. Telling the health care provider that all of the nurses on the unit agree with this plan
• D. Telling the health care provider that 'slow codes' are not acceptable

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse may not violate a family's request regarding the client's treatment plan. A 'slow code' is not acceptable, and the nurse should state this to the health care provider. The definition of a 'slow code' varies among health care facilities and personnel and could be interpreted as not performing resuscitative procedures as quickly as a competent person would. Resuscitative procedures that are performed more slowly than recommended by the American Heart Association are below the standard of care and could therefore serve as the basis for a lawsuit. The other options are inappropriate: Option A is speculative and does not address the issue directly; Option B does not challenge the unethical practice of a 'slow code'; Option C is irrelevant and does not address the ethical concerns raised by the health care provider's request.

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